Regular Update
ATM News Network: There are a large number of indigenous breeds of livestock in the country, which need to be recognised in all states. Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has asserted that this will help the agriculture and animal husbandry sector to prosper.
He was speaking at the distribution ceremony of animal breed registration certificates organized by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) at the National Centre for Agricultural Sciences in New Delhi.
Minister Tomar said that nearly half of the country's livestock is still unclassified. Such unique varieties should be identified at the earliest so that these unclassified varieties can be saved. He expressed happiness that ICAR is working in this direction. A special campaign has been launched to identify such breeds in the country.
He said that it could not be done without the cooperation of state universities, animal husbandry departments, NGOs etc. ICAR in collaboration with all these organisations has started a campaign to document all the animal genetic resources of the country. This large group will fulfil the mission of documenting the genetic resources of indigenous animals in the country.
Appreciating all the applicants of new breeds from different parts of the country, Tomar said that these indigenous breeds are unique. This shows the magnitude of diversity across states. Animal husbandry has historically been an integral part of agriculture since the development of human civilization. Our country is rich in animal biodiversity. These species are being used for various purposes like food, fibre, transportation, fertilizer, agricultural purposes etc.
In the past, our farmers have developed many special varieties of species adapted to those climatic conditions. India's magnificent diversity in the livestock and poultry sector is currently attracting worldwide attention. Efforts to document the country's animal genetic resources and conserve their genetic diversity have been appreciated internationally by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
On this occasion, breeding registration certificates of 28 newly registered breeds were distributed. This includes 10 cattle, 5 pigs, 4 buffaloes, 3 each of goats and dogs, and one each of sheep, donkey and duck. DARE has started notifying all registered breeds in the gazette from 2019 to claim sovereignty over these indigenous breeds. DAHD, ICAR, officials of their institutions and Vice Chancellors of various universities were present in the programme.
